10 Benefits of Morning Walk for the Elderly
Age plays a big role in limiting an individual’s mobility. That is why it is important for elderly people to undertake a certain level of physical activity at their age. Having said that, doing exercise can be tiring. That is where morning walk shines bright – it is an alternative that is simple, less taxing, and helpful. The goal of walking is to delay the aging of the muscles by keeping them active. As for when to do it, the best time for a morning walk is before the city’s hustle-bustle begins and the air gets polluted with traffic, dust and noise. A morning walk is good for health and the advantages of morning walk are many. Let’s briefly take a look at 10 benefits of morning walk for the elderly: –
1.   Improves Circulation
Blood circulation in the body ensures that every organ receives oxygenated blood to function without any problem. If the circulation is slow, it means the blood is staying for a longer period in a region than it is supposed to. This increases the likelihood of the formation of a blood clot. It is recommended, thus, by doctors to walk, because when you are moving, more blood is being used by the legs, and this keeps the circulation faster. Walking for the elderly is especially beneficial because they have reached an age where the functioning of their bodies is slowing down. In this regard, a key benefit of an early morning walk for 30 minutes every day is that it keeps the blood circulation active and the organs stay healthy for a longer time. Walking is the least exhausting physical activity, and it is essential to do it. Morning walk is especially fun because of the refreshing air and the touch of cool breeze.
2.   Prevents Weakening of Bones
A common problem in older age is the development of arthritis. This happens when the bones and joints start weakening with age, and the bones gradually lose mass, the joints rub off against each other, resulting in increased inflammation in joints. As a result, working the joints becomes a painful task. Elders have a tough time standing up if they have been sitting for a long time, or sitting if they have been standing for a long time. This is because the movement of joints creates friction that is severely painful. Not everyone in their old age develops arthritis, but the likelihood greatly increases. One way to counter this is by going for a morning walk. Walking for seniors is especially beneficial because it helps in preventing loss of bone mass and keeps the joints active. When the joints are active, the chances of being affected by arthritis is lessened and the development of weakness in joints delayed.
3.   Enhances Lifespan
Exercising is also a way, along with a healthy diet, to have a longer lifespan. The role of exercise is to keep all the muscles and joints active for as long as possible. For example, a person who is 70-years-young can be healthy if they exercise regularly. Realistically, attaining the goal of 70 years young can be rather difficult, but the elderly can get somewhere close to it by doing morning walks. A big benefit of an early morning walk is that it ensures a longer lifespan for a person. Walking is the least exhaustive form of physical activity. It does the minimum of what the body requires to keep the circulation going and keep muscles and bones active.
4.   Lightens the Mood
Among the best benefits of a morning walk is that it releases endorphins. Endorphins are associated with a sense of euphoria and elation. Even chocolate helps release some endorphins, which is why it makes people feel better. But eating chocolate excessively is injurious to health. What is not injurious to health is a morning walk!
The importance of morning walk is emphasised upon by doctors because the release of endorphins first thing in the morning keeps a person going for the day. How a person starts a day plays a big role in deciding how the rest of the day will go. For the elderly, this is quite beneficial as it prepares them for the day and gives a good start to it.
5.   Lose Weight
For those who are overweight or obese, their risk of developing health problems is very high. Factor in old age into it and the risk is even higher. It becomes imperative, then, to lose weight. Of course, most people in their old age are not obese, but many are overweight. This makes their body home to many cardiovascular diseases. One of the many uses of morning walk is that it can help lose some of the excess weight. Walking burns calories, and that helps in losing weight. This is beneficial because by walking, the elderly are not just reducing their chances of being affected by a severe disease, they are also becoming healthier. Each step of the morning walk is a step towards a healthier body.
6.   Improves Sleep
Sleep is an important part of good health, and good sleep is a must for the body. Among the benefits of a morning walk is that it helps improve sleep, especially for the elderly. To get good sleep, it is important that the body is properly exercised and the person goes to sleep without any hassle. Waking up early and going for a morning walk gives a refreshing start to the day. If they have health care services at home, then the day goes by quickly with the help of the caretaker and spending time with the family. By the end of the day, the body is exhausted after a good and long day. When the body is insufficiently utilized, having a good sleep becomes near impossible. A morning walk can aid in getting a good start to the day, which plays a great role in deciding how the rest of the day will go. A good morning walk can be associated with a good sleep cycle. When someone has a good sleep cycle, they have good health.
7.   Improves Breathing
Walking, as mentioned, is the minimal form of physical activity anyone can indulge in. Like any physical activity, it increases the blood circulation in the body. The goal of any physical activity is to increase the activity of organs. While increased blood flow is one of the ways this happens, improved breathing in another. During a walk, the body is using more oxygen in a given period than it did when it was stationary because the various parts of the body are working. This means that the lungs get more oxygen in a lesser amount of time. With improved breathing, the body is carefully worked up and different body parts begin functioning more efficiently.
8.   Slows Mental Decline
Another significant benefit of a morning walk for which it does not get enough credit is slowing the mental decline. With age, one’s mental health starts deteriorating. The elderly are easy to get upset and it’s difficult to bring them out of their doldrums. They don’t want to be there, but they have no choice due to declining mental health. Although it cannot be stopped, it can be delayed. And morning walk is one of the ways to do that. Partaking in physical activity that keeps the body and mind occupied keeps the mental decline at bay.
9.   Lowers the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
With age also comes the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Both of these conditions are incurable and irreversible. They are only progressive and destroy memory and critical thinking skills. Eventually, doing even simple tasks becomes an ordeal. Another one of the benefits of a morning walk is that it lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. When the brain has more blood flow, it remains more active. And when it remains more active, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is greatly reduced.
10.   Boosts Body Immunity
And this is a benefit of morning walk because of which everyone should do it, and not just the elder. Walking is beneficial for seniors, but not solely for them. With increased blood flow, improved breathing, and improved mental health, the body stays healthy. Daily morning walk increases the efficiency of many body organs, making the body more active. And when the body is more active, the immunity is boosted. As a result, this lowers the risk of many diseases, mental, cardiovascular or any other type of disease or disorder.
The goal of walking is to keep all your body parts active – making your bodywork to stay healthy during your golden years is the goal.
Emoha keeps #EldersFirst and offers several home care services while also conducting diverse activities which give our elderly a sense of community and engagement.
